An unlikely courtship has begun between comedian Russell Brand and Geri Halliwell after the Olympics closing ceremony.

Friends say Brand, former husband of American singer Katy Perry, ditched his latest girlfriend Isabella Brewster after falling for the Spice Girl during rehearsals for the show.

They are now a “serious” couple, according to friends.

Brand, 37, and mother-of-one Halliwell, 40, have been on a string of dates across London including a tour of Hampton Court Palace with Halliwell’s six-year-old daughter Bluebell Madonna over the weekend.

Onlookers saw the celebrities holding hands on a tour of the palace which features a world famous maze.

Greg Oram, 37, from Herefordshire said: “I thought it was the most random thing ever to see Russell Brand of all people in a place like that – until my wife pointed out he was with a Spice Girl. They seemed like they were having a great time, holding hands and chatting. It was 100 per cent obvious they were a couple.

“Geri was holding his hand the same way I hold my wife’s. It was so cute.”

Brand, who is divorced from Perry, had reportedly been preparing to move in with Brewster before he became smitten with Halliwell.

Friends of the couple say they are well suited with Brand winning a battle against drink and drugs a decade ago while Halliwell has cut out alcohol. Brand is also spending more time in London so he can be with her.

The pair have met before on the celebrity circuit but the Olympic rehearsal was the catalyst for them to get together.

After the show he said: “I’ve got a crush on Geri Halliwell, everything in the world is how it should be.”

One friend said: “People thought Russell was joking at the time, when he said he a crush on Geri all over again but it was true.

They’re a proper couple now. They had met several times in the past, but really got to know each other in the Olympics.